Mechanism for tables



P. A. BLAOKMER. ADJUSTABLE AND FOLDING MECHANISM FOR TABLES, GHAIRS, &0.

(No Model.)

ATTORNEY INVENTOR.

Patented Sept. 21

UNITE STATES;

PATENT OFFICE. 1

FRANCIS A. BLAQKMER, OF SPRINGFIELD, .MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO GEORGE R. XVENTWORTH, OF SAME PLACE.

ADJUSTABLE AND FOLDING MECHANISM FOR-TABLES,CHAIRS, &c.

$PECIFICATION forming-part of Letters Patent No. 349,627 dated September 21, 1886.

Application filed November 26, 1884. Serial No. 148,869. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern; V Be it known that I, FRANCIS A. BLACKMER,

of Springfield, Hampden county, Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improve- 5 ments in Adjustable and Folding Mechanism for Tables, Chairs, 850., of which the following is a specification, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, in whichthe application of the mechanism to a table, desk, and settee is illustrated, and in which- Figure l is a perspective of a folding or table, part of the top being cutaway. Fig. 2 is a view of the under side of the same. Fig. 3 is an end view taken through the line as m. Fig. 4 is a perspective of the folded table. Fig. 5 is an end view of a desk, and Fig. 6 is a like view of a settee.

a represents the-top or cover; I) and l), the folding legs; 0, the hinge-bracket; d, the stayrod; 0, the slotted guide-rail; f, the latch; g, notches in the latch, and h the latch-hinge.

stand The object of my invention is to provide a simple, cheap, and easily-operative folding device, which may be applied to tables, desks, settees, 820., and which will give the same a firm and rigid support, thus overcoming the objectionable features found in folding mechanism heretofore used for a like purpose, and I accomplish this in the manner herein de scribed.

. Referring, now, to the drawings, the legs I) are pivoted at c, and the legs b are pivoted to.

the legs I), as shown. The upper ends of the legs I) are connected by the rod d, which 5 passes through the slotted guides 0. The latch f is hinged, as shown, and is adapted to be turned to either side, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, thus freeing the rod d and allowing of its being moved to the desired po 0 sition. 'This latch has openings or notches 9, adapted to engage with the rod (1 when the latch is in the position shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4, thus locking the legs in position. One or more notches may be made in the latch, 5 thus enabling the user to readily vary the height as may be desired.

To fold oradjust the device it simply becomes necessary to turn the latch to one side until the rod is free from the notches. Then the rod is moved, carrying the upper end of the legs I) with it, until the position desired is reached, when the latch is allowed to return to it first position,.and, engaging with the rod, locks the same firmly in position.

Theguide-ra'ils e serve to hold the mechan- 5 5 ism firmly in position and prevent the objectionable shaking and rocking found in many tables of this class heretofore made.

The mechanism may be readily applied to desks, settees, or chairs in the same manner.

I am aware that folding tables have heretofore been made having a series of notches or steps in the under side of the top into which the upper ends of the adjustable legs fit, for the purpose of procuring a variation in height. 6 5 I am also aware of United States Letters Patent Nos. 239,87 6, 210,822, 300,234, 200,057, and 200,291, and I make no claim to the various methods of construction therein shown.

Having therefore described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A folding table having a latch, f, pivoted to the lower side of the table-top, as shown,

and adapted to lock the free end of the legs I) in position by engaging with a part, d, in combination with cross1egs Z) and b, pivoted to each other, substantially as shown.

2. A folding adjustable mechanism for furniture, consisting of legs 7), pivoted to legs b, slotted pieces 0, rod (1, and a notched piece or latch, f, having two or more recesses therein to receive the rod d, and pivoted at each end, and adapted to swing from side to side on its pivots to engage with the rod (1 and hold the 8 5 same in position, substantially as shown.

3. A folding adjustable mechanism for furniture, consisting of legs I), pivoted at c, and having legs I), provided with rod d pivoted thereto, as shown, and latch or notched piece 0 f, pivoted at each end, all constructed and op erating substantially as shown.

FRANCIS A. BLACKMER. \Vitnesses:

ALLEN WEBSTER, GEORGE R. WENTWORTH. 

